Microsoft: Free Windows 7 Ultimate for invite-only testers

In response to the cries of many testers who felt their help and feedback were under-appreciated, Microsoft has reversed a previous decision and announced it would hand out free copies of Windows 7 Ultimate to those who received the earliest builds of the operating system last year. The offer applies to members of the invitation-only Windows 7 Technical Beta Program  meaning users who downloaded the public beta or release candidate are not eligible for the thank you.

Just last week, when Microsoft announced Windows 7 had hit the RTM milestone, it also revealed that in contrast to Windows Vista testers this time no one would be receiving a free copy of their upcoming OS. Even though the company warned this could be the case back in December 2008 when the beta program began, its nice to see them do the right thing here.

Eligible testers can expect their copy on the day Windows 7 RTM build hits MSDN and TechNet  August 6.